Sutra 41
Devanagari script
इतोऽनर्थ इतरतोऽर्थसंशय इत्युभयतोऽनर्थार्थसंशया ॥ कZ_०९.७.४१ ॥
Transliteration
ito'nartha itarato'rthasaṃśaya ityubhayato'narthārthasaṃśayā
Translation
When on one side there is definite loss, and on the other side benefit is uncertain—this is a two-sided dilemma of loss and doubtful gain.
Word by Word
इतःfrom this side; in this case
इतः:
TypePronoun (Adverbial)
Rootइदम्
Formअव्यय; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (ablatival adverb) ‘from here/this side’
अनर्थःharm; loss; disadvantage
अनर्थः:
TypeNoun
Rootअनर्थ
Formपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन
इतरतःfrom the other side; otherwise
इतरतः:
TypeAdjective (Adverbial)
Rootइतर
Formअव्यय; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त (ablatival adverb) ‘from the other side/otherwise’
अर्थसंशयःdoubt/uncertainty about benefit (gain)
अर्थसंशयः:
TypeNoun
Rootअर्थ + संशय
Formपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-एकवचन
इतिthus; as follows
इति:
TypeParticle/Quotative
Rootइति
Formअव्यय; उद्धरण/निदर्शनार्थक
उभयतःfrom both sides; in both ways
उभयतः:
TypeAdjective (Adverbial)
Rootउभय
Formअव्यय; तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त ‘from both sides; in both ways’
अनर्थार्थसंशयाः(they are) situations involving harm and doubtful gain (taken together)
अनर्थार्थसंशयाः:
TypeNoun
Rootअनर्थ + अर्थ + संशय
Formपुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा-बहुवचन (class/category statement)
FAQs
The downside is certain while the upside is only probabilistic; Kautilya flags this as a higher-risk class because expected gains may not materialize but harms will.